Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-09-29

lie. THE lady of high deRfss In he.
silken hung window, With lie rose
light upon her face, and ! nanloliu
in her jeweled hands Sks - Just
ceased playing. and Looks samily
4 ont over the cavern baIcony - 5onna
violinist in the stree. 4 poos lad in
tattered garments. .sf1hs lasly ,s F..
mas face. and ths~FsrS orksz
striking resemblance to Miss Ruth
Morris. But you never saw me look
sad like that"
True, but you could il you were
starved and weary. Well. my picture
has been admitted to the academy,
and the critics have given it fatter-
ing notice. | received this letter to-
day from my fathers cousin, Hubert
Ayres. He is very wealthy, and over
looking the fact that | am son of a
man he hated, he praised my last
achievement, and puts it in my
power to reach the pinnacle of fame,
providing my genius is sufficient to
stand the test
You mean he has offered to give
you part Of his fortune p cried Ruth
ie.
well, not quite that, but my strug-
giles with that guant enemy. poverty,
are over. | am his protege, so to
speak, and we are going ahead togeth-
er.
And Edna ," asked Ruthie, invol-
UNFAIRLY, then she flushed slightly.
She shall 90, too, if she will, said
Keith frankly. She is my inspira
tion.
Euthie, with her head on her hand,
looked thoughtful. What would life
be to her with Keith and Edna away
"a lonely dreary existence. The
tears rose to her eyes, but she brushed
them aside unseen.
The evening passed, and Keith sat
there talking OF his bright plans and
hopes, little dreaming that the girl
opposite, with her sympathetic eyes,
was suffering in silence. But there
came a time when he knew all, and
wondered how he could have been so
blind.
The hour of twelve rang ont, and
then Ruthie's quick ear caught fa-
miliar sound.
There's Edna, she said.
Impelled by the spirit of mischief,
Keith lowered the light and darted
behind the screen Just as the door
opened and Edna, trailing her shining
robes, came in, throwing a rose at he:
sisters feet with a merry laugh.
Doing in the arm chair, Ruthie ?
she said. 'Oh, I've had such gay |
time, and-well, dear, my ambition is
to be realized at last. Tomorrow af- |
ternoon Mr.. Richard Grayson calls for
his answer. a. /
Edna gasped Ruthie.
The beauty stood there with her
fringed scarf slipping from her shoul
ders. and her brown eyes shining-her
head was proudly lifted.
Yes, l am going to marry Mr.. Gray
son, said Edna. Aunt Barbara will |
be delighted, and you shall revel in
luxury, dear
AT the cost Of Keith Lovell's hap
piness, said Ruthie, with her dark .
eyes more pathetic than ever.
y change came over the blonde !
face, but left it again so swiftly it was /
not noted.
Let US have no sentimental non-
sense, she said, impstiently. OF
course, if Keith had wealth, but he I
has not-no prospect even of ever be
ing anything but poor dauber-
that's figure of speech. as she saw
the shocked expression on Ruthie's
iace-'of course he's clever, but | am .
too ambitious to link my lot with his.
Then she started back with a scream
of dismay, as from behind the screen
Keith Lowell emerged, CHASTITY pale
and terce-looking.
You false, heartless woman he !
said, hoarsely. 1 came here tonight .
full of happiness-yon dash the cup |
from my lips. Go sell your beauty
for gold, but the day will come when |
you will repent. Set up your idol
and worship it. but when You find it /
is Of clay, you will know then what it .
is to suffer as | do now
He rushed toward the door, but /
Edna's heart was touched.
Stay Keith, she cried; i will re-
tract my words. am willing
Too late he answered. and the
next moment he was gone.
For the first time Edna Morris real /
lied what she had lost, and il seemed
IL -